Can Brick Be Painted? How Long Does Brick Paint Last?
There are many people who do research on this subject when they are wondering whether the brick is painted and how long the brick paint will last. Few building materials attract more attention than brick. Whether you like it or not, or if you think you want to give bricks a new look, you can get started right away.
Interior And Exterior Brick Painting
Before you consider painting bricks, you should keep a few things in mind about bricks:
Bricks should be designed in one color.
You should get professional support for porous bricks.
Brick paint is not easy to remove
Brick mortar affects the life of the paint
Bricks are designed in specific colors. If you are considering painting a brick because it is damaged, old or chipped, it may not be a good idea to paint it. Structurally unsafe bricks can damage a new paint job, especially if you keep water below the surface of the brick. Water can eventually cause the paint to swell, crack or peel. Unlike some woods or other materials, you may simply not be able to paint over the brick. You will need to use some heavy-duty chemicals and even then the paint may not come off completely.
Painted bricks are basically permanent, so you must determine your color and finish. Painting interior or exterior brick means there is no going back to natural brick. When considering painting interior or exterior bricks, you should also consider grout. The grout is alkaline and will affect all paints that are not alkali resistant. Using the wrong paint on brick can be a very bad and costly mistake.
Situations That Brick Should Be Painted
Knowing these facts about bricks doesn't mean you should definitely not paint bricks. Some of the most beautiful and breathtaking transformations we've seen come from flawless brickwork. But it's definitely not the easiest paint project, and if you're considering brick painting the interior or exterior, you should always hire a professional master.
Paint if your interior or exterior brick is damaged:
If the bricks you are painting are weather-damaged (cracked or chipped), you may choose to paint your bricks. Some brick paints are elastic and can actually bridge cracks, seams and chipped areas to fill and protect the brick. You should first hire a painter who will fix what they can do with your bricks and make sure they use the right materials and paint to protect the rest of the bricks.
If your interior or exterior bricks are already painted:
If the brick you want to paint already has paint, you can probably paint the brick. However, certain finishes must be used, and caulking and repairs still need to be considered. Sometimes a full primer is required. It is very important that all preparations be done thoroughly before applying new paint, especially if something goes wrong with the final paint job.
If your brick is inside, paint it:
Interior bricks are easier to paint than exterior bricks. Painting the interior brick is a very cost-effective way to transform an entire room. With solid color paint, you can paint the bricks in the color you want. Alternatively, you can do a white wash or lime wash to show some natural brick color after painting.
If your interior or exterior brick is designed to be painted, paint it.
In rare cases, your bricks may have been produced for painting. This is usually true for very old or historic bricks. Manufacturers do this on the assumption that the brick will be painted, so this brick does not have the same protective coating as more modern bricks. This type of brick must be prepared to seal the brick and maintain its useful life.
How Long Do Painted Bricks Last?
When you follow the right steps and use the right products, painted bricks can last up to 20 years. Everything starts with careful preparation. You will need to use a powerful power supply and/or pressure washer to clean the exterior bricks and use good old elbow grease and a brush for the interior bricks. Filling the bricks and any repairs comes later. Depending on the current condition of your brick, you may need a mason to assist you before painting the "healthy" parts of the brick. After cleaning and preparing the brick, you will need to use the appropriate primer and finish on the brick.